Sea-Watch
ExplorePlants
Sea-Watch
angelica lucida
Sea-Watch (Angelica lucida), also known as seacoast angelica, is a robust and resilient perennial wildflower that thrives in the harsh, windswept environments of northern coastlines. Belonging to the carrot family (Apiaceae), this plant is beautifully adapted to withstand salty sea sprays, strong winds, and sandy, nutrient-poor soils. It serves as an essential component of coastal dune and estuary ecosystems, anchoring fragile shorelines and providing crucial food and shelter for local wildlife. Historically, various Indigenous communities prized Sea-Watch for both its edible properties and its medicinal value. Today, it stands as a striking symbol of maritime endurance, delighting coastal hikers with its bold, sculptural form and large, umbrella-like clusters of delicate white blossoms.
Habitat: Found on coastal dunes, gravelly beaches, rocky shorelines, salt marshes, and wet meadows near the sea.
Appearance
Sea-Watch is a stout, erect herb growing between 30 and 120 centimeters tall, featuring thick, hollow, and finely ribbed stems that often take on a reddish or purplish hue near the base. Its glossy, dark green leaves are divided into broad, egg-shaped leaflets with sharply toothed margins. The most distinctive feature of this plant is its massive, dome-shaped compound umbels, which measure up to 15 centimeters across and are packed with dozens of tiny, greenish-white flowers.
KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderApialesFamilyApiaceaeGenusAngelica
Category
PlantsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
Its seeds contain tiny air pockets, allowing them to float on saltwater for extended periods and colonize distant beaches.
The species name 'lucida' is Latin for 'bright' or 'shining,' which highlights the unusually glossy and lustrous surface of its leaves.
While historically used as a celery-like food by Indigenous peoples, Sea-Watch closely resembles deadly poisonous hemlocks, making wild foraging highly dangerous.
Special abilities
Ability
Salt Spray Tolerance
Thick, waxy leaves help the plant prevent water loss and withstand high salinity environments common along coastal shorelines.
Ability
Deep Taproot System
A sturdy, thick taproot anchors the plant firmly in shifting sands and rocky crevices, securing water from deep below.
Ability
Hollow Flexible Stems
The structural design of hollow stems provides flexibility against strong coastal winds without snapping, while facilitating internal gas exchange.
Measurements & details
- Length
- 30-120 cm
- Lifespan
- 2-5 years
Diet & Feeding
As an autotrophic plant, Sea-Watch produces its own energy through photosynthesis, converting sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide into sugars.
Primary Foods
- Sunlight
- Water
- Carbon Dioxide
- Soil Minerals
Ecological connections
host plant
Short-tailed Swallowtail
Papilio brevicauda
Larval host plant for caterpillars.
mutualism
Honey Bee
Apis mellifera
Pollinated by insects searching for nectar.
eaten by
White-tailed Deer
Odocoileus virginianus
Foraged upon by large herbivores.
Traits
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Also known as
No aliases listed yet.
Collections
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Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
No special safety notes yet.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to identify Sea-Watch?
The easiest way to identify Sea-Watch is to use the Snappit nature identifier app.
How long is Sea-Watch?
30-120 cm
How long does Sea-Watch live?
2-5 years
What does Sea-Watch eat?
As an autotrophic plant, Sea-Watch produces its own energy through photosynthesis, converting sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide into sugars.
Where is Sea-Watch usually found?
Found on coastal dunes, gravelly beaches, rocky shorelines, salt marshes, and wet meadows near the sea.
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